KHAR, Oct 23: The elders of Mamond tribe in Bajaur Agency here on Wednesday vowed to support administration in preventing cross-border attacks and take strict action against the elements harbouring militants.

Addressing a jirga, they threatened to target hideouts of militants in Afghanistan if they didn`t stop the cross-border attacks. They said that Mamond tribe had always defeated militants whenever they attacked the borders areas of the region.

The jirga, held a day after a cross-border attack by militants in Sarkai area of tehsil Mamond, was attended by hundreds of tribal elders and members of anti-militant peace committees.

Assistant Political Agent Sohail Ahmed Khan and other senior officials also participated in the jirga.

The participants of the jirga discussed law and order situation in the areas near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, activities of peace volunteers and strategy for preventing cross-border attacks and other issues related to peace in the area.

The assistant political agent said on the occasion that the region was cleared of militants and peace was restored in the entire tribal agency.

`Restoration of peace and returning of normalcy in the area was a good achievement, but it doesn`t mean that militants were eliminated completely. The border area is still under threat because the enemies of peace were staying close to the border,` he added.

Mr Khan urged the elders and members of peace committees to organise and mobilise tribesmen for the protection of their land against militants` aggression.

It was the basic duty of the elders to organise and unite tribesmen on one platform against the enemies of their land, the official said, adding that the attackers could be defeated only by unity and team spirit.

The elders said that Mamond tribesmen were united and alert to encounter cross-border attacks in their areas. They added that Mamond tribe had the sprit and courage to fight against militants.

The tribal elders said that they were committed to protect their land against any aggression and no one would be allowed to intrude the region.

The elders expressed deep concern over the hike in cross-border attacks in tehsil Mamond, saying the Afghan government should take serious notice of the issue.

`We appeal to the Afghan government to address the issue of cross-border attacks and take serious steps to stop such the same because it is affecting relations between the tribesmen of both the border areas,` the elders said.

They also threatened to target the hideouts of militants in Afghanistan if they didn`t stop cross-border attacks.